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Around the World and Down the Gullet at Choice Eats

Last night&rsquo;s <em>Village Voice</em> Choice Eats tasting at the Puck Building would have been better called Sietsemapalooza &mdash; its far-flung outer-borough diversity was a testament to his dedication and mobility. The Puck Building also hosted Taste of New York last year, but this crowd was a different demographic. Piercings replaced pearls, and a young, scruffy, and hungry crowd overwhelmed the restaurants accustomed to serving only a few regulars at a time. Highlights: the extraordinary barbecued pastrami from <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/fette-sau/">Fette Sau</a>; the fried rice and pork from <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/krik-krak/">Krik Krak</a>; and the beef rendang, the best thing on <a href="http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/fatty-crab/">Fatty Crab</a>&rsquo;s menu. Nearly everything we tried was good, especially the starches: couscous, grits, various exotic-bread puddings, and even some spongy Ethiopian bread from the Queen of Sheba. Sietsema, presiding over the event like a proud father, could be seen eating all of the above &#151; and a lot more besides.
<strong>Related</strong>: <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/03/sietsema_previews_his_own_choice_eats.html">Sietsema Previews His Own &lsquo;Choice Eats&rsquo;</a>

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Last night’s Village Voice Choice Eats tasting at the Puck Building would have been better called Sietsemapalooza — its far-flung outer-borough diversity was a testament to his dedication and mobility. The Puck Building also hosted Taste of New York last year, but this crowd was a different demographic. Piercings replaced pearls, and a young, scruffy, and hungry crowd overwhelmed the restaurants accustomed to serving only a few regulars at a time. Highlights: the extraordinary barbecued pastrami from Fette Sau; the fried rice and pork from Krik Krak; and the beef rendang, the best thing on Fatty Crab’s menu. Nearly everything we tried was good, especially the starches: couscous, grits, various exotic-bread puddings, and even some spongy Ethiopian bread from the Queen of Sheba. Sietsema, presiding over the event like a proud father, could be seen eating all of the above  and a lot more besides.